Planet Fitness is known for low monthly prices, a relaxed, beginner-friendly atmosphere it calls the Judgement Free Zone, and clubs full of cardio and resistance machines. The monthly figure is only part of the cost, though.
Before joining Planet Fitness, understand the two membership tiers, the fees around them, what your local club actually has, and how you would leave.
Classic versus Black Card
Planet Fitness offers two main memberships.
Classic gives access to your home club. It suits you if you will only ever use one Planet Fitness.
PF Black Card adds access to other Planet Fitness locations, the right to bring a guest, and extras such as massage chairs, hydromassage and tanning at clubs that have them.
Black Card is worth it if you travel, work and live in different towns, or will use the guest privilege regularly. The guest benefit alone can halve the per-person cost for two people who train together.
Amenities vary by club. Check what your nearest Planet Fitness actually has before paying extra for it.
What a Planet Fitness club has, and what it may not
Planet Fitness clubs lean heavily on cardio machines, resistance machines and dumbbells. That suits most beginners and general fitness goals well.
If you train with heavy barbells, visit before joining. Many Planet Fitness clubs have limited heavy free weights and few squat racks, and the layout varies from club to club.
The atmosphere is deliberate. Planet Fitness discourages grunting and dropping weights, which is why many first-time gym users like it and some experienced lifters do not.
Opening hours vary too. Some Planet Fitness clubs have opened around the clock on weekdays and others have not, so check your club's hours rather than assuming.
Fees beyond the monthly price
Planet Fitness memberships usually carry more than a monthly charge.
Start-up or enrollment fee when you join. The figure varies, and promotions often reduce or waive it.
Annual fee charged once a year, typically some months after you join. It surprises many Planet Fitness members.
Ask for the full fee schedule at sign-up: monthly amount, start-up fee, annual fee, and when each is taken.
Most Planet Fitness clubs are franchised, and prices and promotions can vary from one club to another.
Cancelling
How to cancel is the question to ask before you join.
Cancellation methods have varied by club and state. Some Planet Fitness members have been able to cancel online, while others have been required to cancel in person or by letter. Check the terms of your specific club and membership agreement.
Check whether there is a minimum term or a cancellation fee, and how much notice is required before the next billing date.
Keep written confirmation of any cancellation and watch your statement the next month.
Getting value from a Planet Fitness membership
A cheap membership you do not use is the most expensive kind. Go in the first week, and ask about the free small-group sessions with a trainer that many Planet Fitness clubs have offered members.
Visit at the time you will actually train. A Planet Fitness that is quiet at midday may be packed after work. The Planet Fitness app has shown a crowd indicator for some clubs, which helps you pick a time.
The app has also carried workout ideas at no extra charge, which is useful if you are new and not paying for a trainer.
If you chose Black Card for the guest privilege, use it. The higher monthly fee only pays off if the guest comes regularly.
Where the Planet Fitness savings are
Planet Fitness offers usually give a free month, a reduced start-up fee, or a deal for returning members:
COMEBACK and JOEY26 both give one free month on Classic or Black Card, so if one is refused at your club, try the other. COMEBACK's name suggests it is aimed at former members; check eligibility before relying on it.
IMBACKBC is listed as $24 off select items, and its name points to returning Black Card members. The offer does not say what the $24 comes off, so ask at sign-up whether it reduces the start-up fee or the dues before counting on it.
A free month is a real saving, but compare it with a promotion that waives the start-up fee, which may be worth more. Add up the start-up fee, twelve monthly payments and the annual fee, and pick the offer with the lowest first-year total.
Because most Planet Fitness clubs are franchised, an offer may be honoured at one club and not another. Confirm with your home club before joining.
Common questions
Is Planet Fitness Black Card worth it?
If you use more than one location or bring a guest regularly, yes. For one club alone, Classic is enough.
What is the Planet Fitness annual fee?
A once-a-year charge on top of the monthly payment. Ask your club for the amount and date.
How do I cancel Planet Fitness?
It depends on your club and agreement: online, in person or by letter. Check before you join.
Does Planet Fitness have squat racks?
Some clubs have a few, many have limited heavy free weights. Visit your local Planet Fitness to check.
| Discount | Type | Get the deal |
|---|---|---|
| Get One Free Month on (storewide) at Planet Fitness Storewide (special Restrictions Apply) | Promo code | View at Planet Fitness → |
| $5 Off Select Items (Special Restrictions Apply) | Promo code | View at Planet Fitness → |
| 1 Month Free Pf Black Card and Classic Memberships | Promo code | View at Planet Fitness → |
| 1 Free Month On Classic At Planet Fitness Classic (Special Restrictions Apply) | Promo code | View at Planet Fitness → |
